1994 Subspecialty Tract, Cardiovascular Anesthesia

1995 Subspecialty Tract, Pain Management

1994 American Society of Anesthesiologists, Political Action Committee

1995 Florida State Anesthesiologists Society

1996 International Neuromodulation Society

Sarasota County Medical Society

American Medical Association

3. Certifications

1995 Neuromed Spinal Cord Stimulation

1998 Certified for Spinal Endoscopy

American Board of Anesthesiology

American Board of Pain Medicine

Our Services

WHAT IS SPINAL CORD STIMULATION?

Since the early 1970s, Spinal Cord stimulation (SCS) has offered the medical community and patients an effective and non-addictive treatment for pain. SCS is the application of low voltage electrical stimulation to the spinal cord to block the feeling of pain. This therapy developed from the fact that nerves send messages by electrical impulses.

STELLATE GANGLION BLOCK

Stellate ganglion comprises upper thoracic and inferior cervical ganglia; it is located in your neck area. The block is performed to interrupt sympathetic discharge to an upper extremity. This affects blood vessels, sweat glands, goose bump fibers of the skin, head and arm. The effect makes this block useful to promote healing of bone, vessel or nerve injury of the hand. It is an effective treatment of peripheral vascular disease as well because the block produces vasodilation.

EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTION

Between the dura mater and the wall of the vetebral canal is the epidural space, which is filled with fat, connective tissue, and blood vessels. It serves as padding around the spinal cord. Epidural blocks are done every day in hospitals across the country for women in childbirth. Patients in chronic pain receive epidural injections of local anesthetics and/or steroids to help diagnose and/or decrease chronic pain and increase blood flow to the painful area.

FACET BLOCK

The facets are located in between the vertebrae in the spine. Through age, injury, or disease the small sacks of fluid can shrink and do not allow the vertebrae to move easily. The nerves near the facets can become irritated and inflamed from the rough, rubbing facets. A mixture of Depomedrol and Xylocaine is injected to stop the pain.

SYMPATHETIC BLOCKS

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, a condition of continuous limb pain, feels often like a burning, and usually results from an injury. The development of RSD can result from many types of minor trauma. The clinical diagnosis of RSD is complicated and sometimes difficult. Sympathetic blocks to the affected limb using local anesthetic is the most useful tool for evaluating the presenting signs and symptoms.